Not much to work with, but I figured with a well fitted and secured shank extension, I might be able to save it for many more years of service. So I made one:
Now that I have the strength of acrylic over briar for the shank, I felt OK reducing the shank extension to continue the contour of the original shank. I still have touch up work to do, but this will give you an idea of the near final:
Long story short. Totally stripped the stummel down to bare briar and restained it. I also sanded and micropadded the stem to a near new look. After waxing and polishing the stummel and polishing the stem, here's the final. Note: These pics make the stummel look more reddish in tone than it actually is. Could be the lighting... I don't know:
I have a classic little Frank Medico I'll be working on next. It's an oldie because "Frank" is on the stamping, along with the pat. # and the "F" on the stem...
I'll have a better idea of it's situation after stripping the varnish (have I mentioned I HATE varnish on pipes?)... Question: On close examination, I spotted a VERY faint stamping on the bottom side of the stem near the shank. It looks as if it's "D 6"? Does anyone have a clue? Ot could be Medico's stem sizing codes (length/diameter) but really no idea...
I'm thinking about restaining the stummel, "warts" and all. It still will be a good functioning pipe while maintaining it's original, historical design. I just feel the old guy needed some cleaning and sprucing up instead if a rusticated makeover...
Hmm, I thought I posted this following comment earlier…now I’m a day late and a dollar short. I think my iPad battery died…oh well. The pipe looks great👍🏻
@KA9FFJ Going that route, I think I would even remove what’s left of the red putty in the fills. Then maybe just blacken the inside of the divots, then give it a few coats of Halcyon II pipe wax, or a mix of beeswax and carnauba.
Comments
So I made one:
I still have touch up work to do, but this will give you an idea of the near final:
You are amazing, but I think I have said that before.
I think we’ve all said that before!
True. I'm just running out of adjectives. I just can't view his creations and not comment.
Not deserved, but much appreciated...
It had partially peeled off varnish, and the stem was abused with bite marks:
Note: These pics make the stummel look more reddish in tone than it actually is. Could be the lighting... I don't know:
It's more like the true color. Again, I don't know why the first pics turned out so red...
Question:
On close examination, I spotted a VERY faint stamping on the bottom side of the stem near the shank. It looks as if it's "D 6"?
Does anyone have a clue? Ot could be Medico's stem sizing codes (length/diameter) but really no idea...
It still will be a good functioning pipe while maintaining it's original, historical design.
I just feel the old guy needed some cleaning and sprucing up instead if a rusticated makeover...
Much respect!
Here's the final:
You are really going to have a real nice selection for your St. Louis show this year. Wish I could attend.
@opipeman
I wish you could attend as well. I'd love to chew the fat over a few bowls...
That would be an honor indeed.
@KA9FFJ
Going that route, I think I would even remove what’s left of the red putty in the fills. Then maybe just blacken the inside of the divots, then give it a few coats of Halcyon II pipe wax, or a mix of beeswax and carnauba.
Result?,,, another Christmas pipe.😁